Cavs New Head Coach's Offensive plays are "Spurs-esque"

[spursparker9]

Brendan Haywood: “I like his offense a lot. There’s great ball movement, which is very key in the game of basketball. There isn’t as much of one-on-one. There’s a lot of the ball being kicked from one side of the court to another, which is important. But I said ‘Spurs-esque’ because it’s really all about ball movement—like how the Spurs create those mismatches with defenses by moving the ball so precisely. It doesn’t let the defense lock in on one guy.”

Shawn Marion: “But it’s really free-flowing, like I said. The ball really moves. By moving the ball like that, we should be able to keep some offensive pressure up on teams. Spacing is really important too. Both forward positions are interchangeable and it’s important for guys to get to their spots.”

Joe Harris: “I really enjoy the offense overall. It’s great for guys like myself and James and Mike Miller because it gives you spacing to knock down shots. Then that opens things up for our playmakers, LeBron, Kyrie, Dion, those guys can really attack the basket and create off the bounce with that spacing.”


source:

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/03/cavaliers-players-rave-about-david-blatts-spurs-esque-offense/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

[Malik Hairston]

Not surprising, tbh..

Hiring former players and recycled coaches is antiquated by today's standards, teams are diverting from the ISO-ball, vanilla basketball schemes..even a former player like Steve Kerr, who was just hired as a coach this off-season, has said that he had been studying today's style of basketball + the advanced metrics, etc..

Even an average, old-school coach like Doc Rivers has said that he has put in the work to study Spurs-like basketball and the advancements of today's game, which was evident last year as the Clippers were one of the best teams in the league at moving the ball(despite Paul's ball dominance)..

I have no idea why anybody would hire somebody like Byron Scott in 2014, unless they were blatantly tanking:lol..

Teams like OKC and Houston have been severely handcuffed by their decision to retain their antiquated coaches(even more strange with Houston, since Morey is supposed to be progressive)..

[Chinook]

So is this Joe Harris guy supposed to be any good? I keep reading about how he is a major piece the Cavs could trade for a center sometime in the next year (along with the Memphis pick).

[SupremeGuy]

If you can't beat 'em, copy 'em. I'd do it, tbh.

[Obstructed_View]

Funny that everyone ranted and raved about the Phoenix Suns offense, but nobody with any sense tried to copy it.

[Dex]

Cavs are gonna be scary, tbh. Hard to believe what they've pulled off this offseason.

[Dex]

Funny that everyone ranted and raved about the Phoenix Suns offense, but nobody with any sense tried to copy it.

Everyone questioned whether run'n'gun basketball could really be conducive to the playoffs.

And everyone found out.

[RD2191]

Offense isn't a problem in today's NBA. Hell breaking 110+ is almost the norm. It's all for shit if they can't stop anyone though.

[Prose]

not surprised pop style is similar to euro style offenses. he picks up plays from them.

[Malik Hairston]

Cavs desperately need defensive players, though, especially once Varejao suffers his inevitable injury..

[exstatic]

Cavs desperately need defensive players, though, especially once Varejao suffers his inevitable injury..

Yup. I think their ceiling is 2010 Spurs. They'll score, but struggle to get stops.

[Malik Hairston]

Yup. I think their ceiling is 2010 Spurs. They'll score, but struggle to get stops.

I agree that they're going to struggle to get stops, but I still think they beat anybody in a series outside of the Spurs(Spurs beat them in 5 IMO)..

[hyhy]

Offense isn't a problem in today's NBA. Hell breaking 110+ is almost the norm. It's all for shit if they can't stop anyone though.

It's like the clippers rockets game where nobody plays defense and they score 130+

[anakha]

Yup. I think their ceiling is 2010 Spurs. They'll score, but struggle to get stops.

In fairness, there aren't a lot of teams with scary offenses in the East.

[Silver&Black]

http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp346/jballew7/24e9ufl.gif

[hyhy]

Brendan Haywood: “I like his offense a lot. There’s great ball movement, which is very key in the game of basketball. There isn’t as much of one-on-one. There’s a lot of the ball being kicked from one side of the court to another, which is important. But I said ‘Spurs-esque’ because it’s really all about ball movement—like how the Spurs create those mismatches with defenses by moving the ball so precisely. It doesn’t let the defense lock in on one guy.”

Shawn Marion: “But it’s really free-flowing, like I said. The ball really moves. By moving the ball like that, we should be able to keep some offensive pressure up on teams. Spacing is really important too. Both forward positions are interchangeable and it’s important for guys to get to their spots.”

Joe Harris: “I really enjoy the offense overall. It’s great for guys like myself and James and Mike Miller because it gives you spacing to knock down shots. Then that opens things up for our playmakers, LeBron, Kyrie, Dion, those guys can really attack the basket and create off the bounce with that spacing.”

Well, that doesnt sound 'Spurs-esque'. More like 'Heat-esque'
Spurs basketball is not just great ball movement. Its great off-ball movement. Guys cut and get into open spaces and have off-ball screens all the time.
From what they say, its just the ball moving. Against a Man-to-man defense in NBA, moving the ball would not get you open spaces.
From what Joe Harris says, "It’s great for guys like myself and James and Mike Miller because it gives you spacing to knock down shots. Then that opens things up for our playmakers, LeBron, Kyrie, Dion, those guys can really attack the basket and create off the bounce with that spacing", that just sounds like Miami's 5-out offense. 3 point shooters standing at the 3 point line while lebron/wade drives and kick out.

[Uriel]

Yup. I think their ceiling is 2010 Spurs. They'll score, but struggle to get stops.
The 2015 Cavs are way better than the 2010 Spurs. :lol And that starts with the fact that their starting SF is not Richard Jefferson, but LeBron James.

[Ice009]

The 2015 Cavs are way better than the 2010 Spurs. :lol And that starts with the fact that their starting SF is not Richard Jefferson, but LeBron James.

LOL, you didn't have to mention that name, but just mentioning it shows quite a bit of difference between the two teams already.

[Chinook]

I love the idea that passing the ball = Spurs offense. It's actually much more complicated than that, with all the options and contingencies that go on each play. The fact that the team has a roster filled with players who are smart enough to absorb all that and execute it on the fly is what's so amazing. The fact that the players are unselfish is only icing on the cake.

I don't think there's a team in the league that doesn't want the Spurs' offensive success. But we'll probably see a watered-down version of it that has to be altered to meet the limitations of the stars, especially in Cleveland. No way is Love going to be willing to be a glorified Bonner for more than a few months.

[Snaq O'Meal]

I love the idea that passing the ball = Spurs offense. It's actually much more complicated than that, with all the options and contingencies that go on each play. The fact that the team has a roster filled with players who are smart enough to absorb all that and execute it on the fly is what's so amazing. The fact that the players are unselfish is only icing on the cake.

I don't think there's a team in the league that doesn't want the Spurs' offensive success. But we'll probably see a watered-down version of it that has to be altered to meet the limitations of the stars, especially in Cleveland. No way is Love going to be willing to be a glorified Bonner for more than a few months.

Damn right.

Egos will eventually get in the way of proper execution.

[Malik Hairston]

Love is already accustomed to playing off the ball, he won't be a concern IMO..

The real test will be the reactions and team play of Irving and Waiters, tbh..

[exstatic]

Love is already accustomed to playing off the ball, he won't be a concern IMO..

The real test will be the reactions and team play of Irving and Waiters, tbh..

Waiters will break plays regularly.

[Gagnrath]

I think the Cavs will get beat in the eastern conference final by the Heat this year. While everyone has been watching the Cavs pull in big names the Heat have quietly pulled in a number of very good players to complement Bosh who with the raptors showed the ability to carry a team into the play-offs. Spoelstra got handed a team but he's actually competent and with Riley as puppet master can pull off a big year. It depends a bit on the health of Wade and the head of Deng but that is a scary team talent wise.

[313]

The Cavs allowed 99 poimts/game last season. Surely that will improve with LeBron and Marion. Irving isn't a great defender but with less pressure on him to carry the offense, he'll be able to use more energy on the defensive end. I don't think this Cavs team is going to be as poor a defensive team as people think. Certainly not 2010 Spurs :lol

[xellos88330]

One good thing is that the Spurs practice against the Spurs. They might be ready to take on a team that is running a similar offense because they face it in practice.

[MilesTeg]

You can't just decide you're going to be like the Spurs. It takes a lot of time to build, and the right guys. I think Blatt is a good coach, but without the pick and roll aggressive defense, the Cavs probably won't be as good as the Heat.

[Gagnrath]

The Cavs allowed 99 poimts/game last season. Surely that will improve with LeBron and Marion. Irving isn't a great defender but with less pressure on him to carry the offense, he'll be able to use more energy on the defensive end. I don't think this Cavs team is going to be as poor a defensive team as people think. Certainly not 2010 Spurs :lol

Love Doesn't play defense save for rebounding....

Marion is only on the court when Lebron isn't (maybe some rare subbing at power forward for love) and isn't even half the player he was 3 years ago.
Waiters is also a sub-par defender for his position.


Maybe with a dedicated Verajao and Lebron leading system defense it gets Love waiters and Irving to try on that end but defense is a team effort and most likely with the majority of the team not being interested in their previous situation they won't suddenly decide to play on that end.

[Mikeanaro]

Because it is so easy to just land the NBA and play like the Spurs to win 459302 championships, these reporters are so serious about dickriding Lebum.

[DAF86]

The truth is Spurs' offensive plays are "FIBA-esque", tbh.

[DAF86]

You can't just decide you're going to be like the Spurs. It takes a lot of time to build, and the right guys. I think Blatt is a good coach, but without the pick and roll aggressive defense, the Cavs probably won't be as good as the Heat.

That "aggressive pick and roll defense" actually worked to the Spurs advatange, imho. It constantly made the Heat players get out of position and hustle their asses off for a lost cause (trying to prevent a wide open look for the Spurs). The Mavs did much better playing the complete opposite of an "aggressive pick and roll defense", basically daring the ball handler to beat them out of the pick and roll.

[testies]

That "aggressive pick and roll defense" actually worked to the Spurs advatange, imho. It constantly made the Heat players get out of position and hustle their asses off for a lost cause (trying to prevent a wide open look for the Spurs). The Mavs did much better playing the complete opposite of an "aggressive pick and roll defense", basically daring the ball handler to beat them out of the pick and roll.

this, I couldn't believe no one copied the switching everything defense from Dallas, making us play 1v1

[Chillen]

Watched the nba tv game, they look Finals bound if they can stay healthy but the Bulls are gonna be their toughest opponent. I don't know if they can beat the Bulls in a 7 game series or not yet. I think the Bulls will be the Cavs only obstacle in the East from reaching the Finals. They looked great for only 1 preseason game and I loved the passing, it's fun to watch. I don't know if they will be able to deal with the Bulls size (Noah, Gasol, Mirotic), but congrats the Cavs fans they are gonna have a fun year regardless, that team is fun to watch like the Spurs.

[hyhy]

Watched the nba tv game, they look Finals bound if they can stay healthy but the Bulls are gonna be their toughest opponent. I don't know if they can beat the Bulls in a 7 game series or not yet. I think the Bulls will be the Cavs only obstacle in the East from reaching the Finals. They looked great for only 1 preseason game and I loved the passing, it's fun to watch. I don't know if they will be able to deal with the Bulls size (Noah, Gasol, Mirotic), but congrats the Cavs fans they are gonna have a fun year regardless, that team is fun to watch like the Spurs.

Their starting 5 "ball movement" consists of 4 players standing on the 3-point line and Kevin Love standing in the post. The ball "moves" without any off-ball movements, and lots of gambles by throwing alot of cross-court passes. Then, it ends on a iso when they decide its time to score.

Sounds like Miami offense? Spurs-esque my foot.

[admiralsnackbar]

Passing the ball is fine, but marquee players recognizing they may not be as open as no-name perimeter shooters or well-positioned bigs is another story. If there is a criticism of Lebron, it's that he cares more about his own statistical legacy than his team's achievements. This may be the season he changes course, but I somehow doubt it. He's played under too many coaches and refused to submit to any of their systems to change at this point. The Cavs will be good this year, but they won't be a team any more than the Rockets (with their glaring lack of leadership and glut of talent) will be. As a fan of basketball, I hope Bron proves me wrong... but I'm skeptical.

[look_at_g_shred]

What I saw yesterday, and mind you it was just a sample size, yet there was ball-movement; however, I saw Kyrie, Waiters, and even James himself wanting to go one on one too much. Especially Irving and Waiters. You can tell they want to be "the guy". Everytime Irving went to the cup, waiters wanted to show him up. What i'm getting at is, there's only so much you can implement from the Spurs's system. You can preach ball movement, but if you don't have the selfless players the spurs do, it's not going to work. When Kyrie, Waiters, Love, and James care too much about individual stats, that "spurs-esque" system will go right down the drain.

[hyhy]

What I saw yesterday, and mind you it was just a sample size, yet there was ball-movement; however, I saw Kyrie, Waiters, and even James himself wanting to go one on one too much. Especially Irving and Waiters. You can tell they want to be "the guy". Everytime Irving went to the cup, waiters wanted to show him up. What i'm getting at is, there's only so much you can implement from the Spurs's system. You can preach ball movement, but if you don't have the selfless players the spurs do, it's not going to work. When Kyrie, Waiters, Love, and James care too much about individual stats, that "spurs-esque" system will go right down the drain.

Yup, and once ball movement seems to fail for abit, and each of them thinking that they can drive past their own defenders, its iso time.
Especially during crunch time.

[exstatic]

The Cavs allowed 99 poimts/game last season. Surely that will improve with LeBron and Marion. Irving isn't a great defender but with less pressure on him to carry the offense, he'll be able to use more energy on the defensive end. I don't think this Cavs team is going to be as poor a defensive team as people think. Certainly not 2010 Spurs :lol

Old stats. Analytics now use what is called defensive rating. That's how many points you surrender per 100 possessions. Cleveland came in at 107.7, 19th out of 30 teams.

[Chillen]

I liked what I saw from that Cavs team, so perhaps a little Spurs-esque with a nice dose of Miami offense mixed in, sound better? BTW, Blatt can coach, they have a heck of a coach there.

[exstatic]

this, I couldn't believe no one copied the switching everything defense from Dallas, making us play 1v1

Because once we figured it out, we finished the series 3-1 and literally blew them off the floor in Game 7? Were you also befuddled that we didn't back off LeBron again this year? Once a team has seen something, it's easier to solve.

[313]

Old stats. Analytics now use what is called defensive rating. That's how many points you surrender per 100 possessions. Cleveland came in at 107.7, 19th out of 30 teams.
Still, not the worst. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[Johnny RIngo]

Hopefully a sign that the Iso-ball era is coming to an end. The league would be a hell of a lot more entertaining if more teams played like the Spurs.